Girls athlete of the week

Thursday

Oct 7, 2010 at 12:01 AMAug 15, 2012 at 11:16 AM

MICHAEL LEWIS, Staff writer

Jocelin Adona

SPRUCE CREEK TRACK AND FIELD

Credentials: Jocelin Adona, a junior, ran a personal best of 19:48.38 last Saturday at the FLRunners.com Invitational in Titusville, finishing 54th overall. She was a first-team all-area cross-country selection last season, and was also a first-teamer in track and field (running the 2-mile).

So, did you think you were going to run so well last week?

I kind of knew that I was probably going to get in the 19's, because I had so many people pushing me. I worked really hard at practice, and Coach Step (Stephon Gallon) said there'll be a lot of people who could help me go fast in the race.

What was the biggest reason you did well?

There's a lot of faster people who I tried to stay up with and stuff, and that helped me.

What do you usually think about when you're out on the course during a race?

I usually try to think of a fast song, like "Riding Solo," by Jason Derulo, and just sing it over and over again. I like upbeat songs, anything fast that I can keep in my head. I also am thinking of how fast I'd like to go.

How do you prepare mentally the day of a race, do you listen to music, think about stuff, etc.?

I try to listen to music to get a song planted in my head. I like Journey, and Usher. Katy Perry is good, too.

Can't go wrong with Katy Perry. What's your goal time for this season?

I want to try to get in the 18s; I've got to work really hard for that, though. I think I can push hard enough.

OK, tell us what we'd find if we walked into your room at home right now.

We just got a cross-country poster of all the runners from the team, so I have a big poster of that hanging in my room. I have a bunk-bed, because me and my sister (Jonelle) share a room. I've got a laptop, and an Orlando Magic poster on the wall, because I like basketball. Probably clothes on the floor, too, because I don't always have time to pick them up. And we have a TV.

What website do you visit more than any other?

Probably Facebook. I try not to spend too much on there, but it's addicting. And I go on the Daytona State website, to check my grades because I dual enroll there.

Nice. OK, Justin Bieber. Very cool or you're not into him?

I'm not really into him. He's not that big with me and my friends. I don't really like his voice.

Ouch, that's harsh. Subject in school you wish you never had to take again?

I'd have to say English. I'm not a good writer. I do like to read, though.

Finally, Jocelin, what's the one thing you'd change about yourself if you could?